Dr. Furlong is a strong believer in giving back to his community. In 2002, he launched Gift of Sight - a cooperative program with a designated local charity that provides free eye examinations, appropriate vision correction and post operative care to individuals in the Bay Area who cannot afford corrective procedures. The program has been a huge success, greatly improving people's lives, both personally and professionally.
This program is important and so inspirational to me. But what I find really heartwarming is the way our staff feels. This year, they all expressed how wonderful it made them feel to make such a difference in someone's life and the consensus was - "Let's do it again!"
Dr. Michael Furlong
HOPE Services
For the past three years, HOPE instructors and clients have been the beneficiary of Gift of Sight. HOPE provides programs and services to 3,000 individuals with developmental disabilities such as mental retardation, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, autism and other conditions closely related to mental retardation and requiring similar programming. HOPE enables infants, young people, adults and seniors in the greater Bay Area to live and participate in their communities.
The 2008 Gift of Sight Recipients
This year's Gift of Sight recipients included Gustavo Flores, a HOPE client who uses a wheelchair and greatly benefited from vision correction as he no longer breaks his glasses or gets his eyes infected from wearing contacts; Cory White, a HOPE client with moderate mental retardation who can now enjoy his favorite activities, drawing and watching sports, and can look for paid employment; and Robert Faber, also a HOPE client and strong advocate of people with disabilities. Robert still cannot believe he does not need to search for his glasses in the morning. For a complete list of the 2008 Gift of Site recipients, click here. To hear an interview about the Gift of Sight program and Hope Services that aired on KBAY and MIX 106.5, push the play button here.
Previous Beneficiaries
Previous beneficiaries of the Gift of Sight program include the American Cancer Society, Diabetes Society of Santa Clara County, Crohn's and Colitis Foundation, Valle Monte League, Junior League of San Jose, Make-A-Wish Foundation and various local schools. Since its inception, Dr. Furlong has donated approximately $300,000 in services.
